Revenge Is on Trojans’ Minds

Henry Bibby was succinct in describing his team’s objective for tonight’s season opener at the Sports Arena against Wyoming in the preseason National Invitation Tournament.

“I’m thinking of a little revenge,” the sixth-year USC coach said. “We know they’re really good, much better than people think.”

Wyoming ended the Trojans’ season in 1999 in the postseason NIT, erasing a 10-point halftime deficit to beat USC in Laramie, 81-77.

Trojan seniors David Bluthenthal, Sam Clancy and Brandon Granville were freshmen then. Bluthenthal did not play against the Cowboys, Clancy was held scoreless in 15 minutes and Granville had 13 points and three assists but committed eight turnovers.

“They’ve got a big team and an experienced team,” Bluthenthal said. “We definitely can’t take them lightly.”

Prospects in Laramie haven’t been this high since the days of Fennis Dembo; the Cowboys are favorites in the Mountain West Conference, home of traditional powers Utah and New Mexico.

.Wyoming has all five starters and nine lettermen back from a team that won 20 games last season but lost three of its last four.

The Cowboys have a big front line with 6-foot-10, 260-pound junior center Uche Nsonwu-Amadi, 6-9, 245-pound senior power forward Ugo Udezue and 6-8, 235-pound senior small forward Jose Davis.

Junior Marcus Bailey, a 6-5, 190-pound shooting guard, averaged 17.4 points and 4.1 rebounds.

“The thing we feel good about is we’re going in with a veteran team,” Wyoming Coach Steve McClain said. “They’ve got a very good team with a very good coach.

“No question they’re an athletic team. Clancy is a lottery pick. Bluthenthal is a first-round pick.”

Said Clancy, “We’re a lot quicker than they are. We’re going to have to take them outside.”

TONIGHT

vs. Wyoming, 6, ESPN

Site--Sports Arena.

Radio--KMPC (1540).

Records--(2000-01) USC 24-10, Wyoming 20-10.

Update-USC leads the series, 6-4, though Wyoming has won the last two meetings, in 1999 and 1986. Under Bibby, USC is 4-1 in season openers, its lone loss to New Mexico on the road in 1998. The Trojans have won their last six home openers.

Tickets-(213) 740-4672.